Reds shock: Genia agrees big-money move to Force

Phil Lutton

Queensland Reds star halfback Will Genia has signed with the Western Force and will move to Perth for the 2013 season.

Queensland rugby has confirmed the stunning move after smoke had been building late in the week, culminating in a tweet from former Red Tim Horan tonight that a deal was essentially complete.

Genia will now link with close friend David Pocock, the Wallaby flanker, in a move that will send shockwaves through the Reds after the Force cleaned out their ranks at the end of 2005.

It was revealed during the week that Genia's new management had demanded a figure of $400,000 per season from the Reds, not including any top-up from the ARU. That figure was always going to be a bridge too far for the Super Rugby champions, who are fighting to retain the core of their title-winning roster.

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Reports yesterday also said Pocock had been actively courting Genia, who will now walk away from Ewen McKenzie's side to head to the Force. It will be a sweet retort for the Force, who had coach Richard Graham poached by the Reds earlier this month.

The loss of Genia could make it more difficult for the Reds to retain close friend with Quade Cooper, who is also off contract next season.

Reds chief executive Jim Carmichael said the QRU fought for his signature but couldn't prevent his departure.

"I believe Queensland Rugby made the best offer we could to retain Will's services in Queensland, however the opportunity presented to head west was ultimately more appealong," Carmichael said.

"We wish Will all the best next year at the Force and thank him for all he has given to the Reds and Queensland Rugby throughout the last six seasons."

31 comments so far

What about Brett Sheehan? Sheehan makes the Force backline work - Genia throws passes to no-one and doesn't have the mongrel in him - another sad indictment on Australian rugby - what ever happened to loyalty????

Commenter

Dave

Location

The Burbs

Date and time

April 28, 2012, 8:33PM

Sheehan had already announced that he is leaving.

Commenter

HM

Date and time

April 28, 2012, 10:34PM

Genia will have no impact behind a poor forward pack, and the Force should be looking there first.The Reds will be fine without him.

Commenter

Ben

Location

Dubai

Date and time

April 28, 2012, 8:56PM

Ben,The Force have a great pack. It's their back line that's woeful.Having a general at 9 will be the best thing for them.They've been the unluckiest franchise with their backline - particularly with injuries.this year the Reds & Tahs have suffered similar fates losing a raft of key backline players.I just hope Force can get a 5/8th next year (as much as I love Jmmy Stannard).

Commenter

GaleForce

Location

Sydney

Date and time

April 28, 2012, 11:20PM

Umm, Ben? The Force forward pack is probably the best in Australia.

Commenter

piru

Location

Perth via Rakaia

Date and time

April 29, 2012, 12:22AM

Don't get much coverage in Dubai then?

Commenter

Expat

Location

Everwhere

Date and time

April 29, 2012, 5:01AM

@ Ben | DubaiDubious you know what 'poor + forward + pack' means in any context, especially in relation to the Force.Please try harder next time or forget 'trolling' from such a remote distance. As if the Arab states haven't got enough problems at the present!

Commenter

Machooka

Location

inner west sydney

Date and time

April 29, 2012, 11:29AM

Sorry i struct a raw nerve with the Nathan Sharp groupies.

Commenter

Ben

Date and time

April 29, 2012, 1:23PM

Wait till Quade signs with the Rebels..lol!!

Commenter

Nick

Location

Sydney

Date and time

April 28, 2012, 9:07PM

Quade..isn't he that Morris dancer who doesn't like tackling and biffs the ball away when it looks like might get tackled?